Bone Broth

It is a rare lecture or seminar pertaining to health and wellness that does not include a discussion of the benefits of bone broth. At a recent seminar bone broth was available during a morning break for all the participants to enjoy. A chicken broth, it was delicious, satisfying, and amazingly easy to prepare, I was hooked. After the seminar I made my first batch of bone broth and it has now become a regular addition to our diet. I have a cup each morning and Lucy, Annie, and Tilly love bone broth ladled over their breakfast.  Nourishing bone broth aides digestive, immune, joint, skin, and brain health.

Bone broth contains cartilage, collagen, marrow, and amino acids which help to rebuild and rejuvenate the body. Nourishing the body from the inside out this combination of ingredients aides in the recovery of cancer, arthritis, irritable bowel, colitis, allergies, and skin problems. Brittle nails and hair, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, gut disorders, and auto immune disease are signs of a collagen deficiency. Collagen is the glue that holds the body together and supports the body's ability to repair connective tissue, such as bones, tendons, ligaments, as well as skin and nails. It also supports healthy eyes and heart, digestion through gut healing, and disease prevention via immune system modulation.

Gelatin provides the amino acids the body needs to support connective tissue while keeping joints lubricated and cushioned. Glutamine, is one of several amino acids present in bone broth. It helps the villi of the small intestine to heal and grow which is vital for gut health. Glutamine also stimulates immune cells, supports liver health and feeds the brain. Other common amino acids include proline, glycine, and alanine.

There are several bio available minerals, calcium phosphate, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, and trace minerals which support bone health. The addition of organic apple cider vinegar to your bone broth helps to pull these minerals from the bones. Marrow is nutrient dense, regenerative and adds brain building fat to your bone broth.

Carrots, celery, parsnips, turmeric, and ginger are vegetables I usually include in my broth for the flavor and health benefits they add. Turmeric is well known for it's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It also supports the liver. Ginger decreases nausea, stimulates gastric secretions, and supports the large intestine. Peppercorns aid digestion, help prevent gas formation and increase the absorption of nutrients, especially turmeric. Since I share my bone broth with my four legged family, Lucy, Tilly, and Annie, I avoid using onion and garlic. Both can cause anemia in dogs and cats.

I make my bone broth in a crock pot and cover the bones with filtered water to avoid any contaminates that may be present in tap water. The quality of your bones will affect the quality of your broth. When possible choose organic bones from pasture raised, grass fed, animals. At Meg's Meats we have a wonderful variety of bones to make delicious broth.   I turn the crock pot on low for 48 to 72 hours. If the bones have any meat on them remove it after 6 to 8 hours and return the bones to the pot. Save this meat for a later meal or add to soups and stews. For the last hour add parsley or cilantro to your broth. This helps remove minerals from the bones. Once your broth is cooked you can strain, serve, and store it. I like to store my broth in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage it is best to freeze your broth. Throw the bones away. Since they are cooked do not feed them to your dogs or cats.

There is no food that improves or supports digestion better than bone broth. Beware of broth that you buy in the store and carefully read ingredients. Ingredient lists that include natural flavors, extracts, coloring, corn syrup, rendered chicken fat is not a nourishing bone broth and not worth purchasing. An ancestral wisdom infuses our home made bone broth from well sourced ingredients. Healing and health begin with our intention as we choose our bones and vegetables, create our broth, smell the broth as it's aroma fills our cooking space, lovingly ingest our broth and share it with our human and animal friends and family members. There are many books on bone broth. My favorite is "Nourishing Broth: An Old Fashion Remedy for the Modern World". I hope you will begin to include bone broth in both your diet and that of your animals as you progress on your journey to health.

Meg's Meats Healing Bone Broth

Bones- Beef Shanks or Necks, Beef Knuckle Bones, Turkey backs, wings, necks, Pork Bones, Lamb bones, Whole Chicken

Apple Cider Vinegar

Vegetables- carrots, turnips, turmeric, ginger, celery, parsley
Vegetables are optional

Place bones in a pot, cover with filtered water. Add 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar. Let sit for 30 minutes to one hour. Vegetables may be added at this time. Turn pot on low and let cook for 48 to 72 hours.

Strain bones, meat, and vegetables from broth
Cool in glass container
Refrigerate for a week or store in the freezer for six months

Dispose of bones in the trash. Any meat may be added to soup or placed back in the broth.

Salt and pepper can be added for taste.
Both you and your pets will enjoy this gut healthy healing drink.